Product Awards

Artisan – Sponsored by Cuisine

For producers with a philosophy which focuses on retaining the integrity of the highest quality ingredients. Examples include: Artisan cheeses, boutique chocolates, condiments and beverages - products positioned in the high added value segment of the market; ingredients specific to artisanal products.

Below Zero - Sponsored by FoodHQ

For food products or ingredients that require frozen storage to maintain product quality and shelf-life. Examples include: Ice creams, ready to eat meals, pastries, frozen desserts, prepared fruits/vegetables; ingredients for frozen food products.

Beverage - Sponsored by Woolworths

Open to all beverages. Examples include: Wine, beer, spirits, 0% alcoholic drinks, water, flavoured milks, energy drinks, smoothies, carbonated beverages, juices, juice concentrates, teas, kombucha, ginger beer, kefir; ingredients for these beverages.

Chilled – Sponsored by Massey University

For food products or ingredients with a limited shelf-life that require cool storage to maintain food safety and product quality. Examples include: Yoghurts, cheeses, dips, pouch soups, meats and deli products, dressed poultry and chilled ready meals; ingredients for chilled food products.

Health and Wellbeing - Sponsored by Palmerston North City Council

Products which demonstrate a benefit to the health and wellness of consumers. Examples include: Supplements, powders, macro specific products such as high protein, low fat, low carbs and alternative foods such as vegan, gluten free, dairy free, sugar free.

Pantry - Sponsored by Woolworths

Products (including ingredients, partially prepared and ready-to-eat foods) that can safely be stored at ambient temperatures for the period of their shelf-life. Examples include: Sauces, soups, spreads, condiments, cereals, bread and bakery mixes, energy bars, potato chips, cured meats, meal preparation kits, ingredients for ambient-stable food products.

Primary Sector – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety

Primary sector products where value has been added through the introduction of new varieties, cultivars or breeds. Alternatively, where innovative products have been introduced through new or different harvesting, processing, packaging or distribution channels. For the purposes of entry, primary sector products are those sold in their purest form, with minimal processing (also referred to as “wholefoods”). Examples include: Meats, poultry, seafood, milk, fruits, grains, honey.

Product Lifetime Achievement - Sponsored by AsureQuality

Awarded to a product that has withstood the test of time and is still on shelves as proof of the impact of its initial innovation. *Note: Finalists for this category are nominated by a panel of selected judges so products may not be entered into this award directly.

Technical Innovation (Formerly Novel) – Sponsored by NZ Food Innovation Network

New products that demonstrate technical innovation in raw materials, formulation, processing or packaging. Products that have overcome technical challenges to offer advantages or benefits to consumers. Examples include: cake mix or beer made from rescued bread, plant-based dairy/drinks/ meats, new fermented or bioprocessed foods, beverages or ingredients, proteins from novel sources, ground-breaking dairy ingredients or products, raw juices or foods preserved using a novel preservation technique, new varieties of fruit or vegetable, foods that have overcome technical challenges to make them healthier or more sustainable than others in their category, edible packaging or packaging that offers significant advantages in convenience or sustainability.